Condensate Evaporation Device

ABSTRACT

A condensate evaporation device for a refrigerator is provided. The condensate evaporation device includes a refrigerant pipe and a protecting tube. The refrigerant pipe through which the refrigerant flows is installed near bottom of a pan containing condensate that flows out of the storage space so as to be immersed in the condensate. The protecting tube is disposed around at least a part of the refrigerant pipe. The protecting tube surrounds at least a part of the refrigerant pipe that is immersed in the condensate in the pan, such that the condensate does not contact and erode the refrigerant pipe directly. The protecting tube may surround the refrigerant pipe tightly to provide heat exchange between the refrigerant and the condensate via the refrigerant pipe and the protecting tube.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a condensate evaporation device for a refrigerator. More particularly, this invention relates to a condensate evaporation device that is resistant to corrosion.

A refrigerator cools down the temperature of a storage space. Condensate is generated when the air is cooled down below the dew point and water vapor is condensed into water droplets. Water droplets are collected and the collected water, that is, the condensate is exhausted from the storage space. The condensate exhausted thereby is evaporated rather than discharged into the sewer because of regulatory reasons that require costly processes for discharging condensate to the sewer.

In order to evaporate the condensate water, heat exchange requires heat exchange area, which must be in contact with the condensate water. Such a contact is not good for some part of the heat exchanger.

Accordingly, a need for an evaporation device for refrigerators, which is more resistant to corrosion, has been present for a long time considering the long life of refrigerator. This invention is directed to solve these problems and satisfy the long-felt need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention contrives to solve the disadvantages of the prior art.

An object of the invention is to provide a condensate evaporation device for a refrigerator.

Another object of the invention is to provide a condensate evaporation device, which is resistant to failure due to corrosion.

In order to achieve the above objects, the invention provides condensate evaporation devices for a refrigerator.

An aspect of the invention provides a condensate evaporation device for a refrigerator including a storage space cooled by refrigerant, and a compressor for compressing the refrigerant.

The condensate evaporation device comprises a refrigerant pipe and a protecting tube.

The refrigerant pipe through which the refrigerant flows is installed near bottom of a pan containing condensate that flows out of the storage space so as to be immersed in the condensate.

The protecting tube is disposed around at least a part of the refrigerant pipe.

The protecting tube surrounds at least a part of the refrigerant pipe that is immersed in the condensate in the pan, such that the condensate does not contact and erode the refrigerant pipe directly.

The protecting tube may surround the refrigerant pipe tightly to provide heat exchange between the refrigerant and the condensate via the refrigerant pipe and the protecting tube.

The protecting tube may comprise silicone grease on inner surface of the protecting tube.

The protecting tube may be heat resistant. Further, the protecting tube may be water resistant. The protecting tube may comprise a polymer tube. The polymer tube may comprise polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Alternatively, the polymer tube may comprise rubber.

The protecting tube may comprise a first end and a second end. The first and second ends may be disposed above the level of the condensate over the pan.

In certain embodiments, the condensate evaporation device may further comprise a chamber that is positioned above the pan. The chamber may include one or more air vents that allow air flow into or out of the chamber.

In certain embodiments, the condensate evaporation device may further comprise a condensate level sensor disposed inside the pan, wherein the condensate level sensor is configured to detect the level of the condensate inside the pan. Heat exchanging between the refrigerant and the condensate may be initiated when the level of condensate detected by the condensate level sensor reaches a predetermined value.

Another aspect of the invention provides a refrigerator comprising: a storage space that is cooled by a refrigerant, a compressor that compresses the refrigerant, and a condensate evaporation device.

The condensate evaporation device may comprise: a container configured to contain condensate that flows out of the storage space; a heat exchange device configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant and the condensate; a refrigerant tube disposed in the container so as to be immersed in the condensate in the container; and a protecting tube surrounding at least part of the refrigerant tube.

The protecting tube may surround or enclose the refrigerant pipe tightly to provide heat exchange between the refrigerant and the condensate via the refrigerant pipe and the protecting tube. The protecting tube may be heat resistant and water resistant.

The polymer tube may comprise polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and rubber.

The advantages of the present invention are: (1) the condensate evaporation device is resistant to corrosion; and (2) the condensate evaporation device can control the operation according to the level of condensate.

Although the present invention is briefly summarized, the fuller understanding of the invention can be obtained by the following drawings, detailed description and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic elevation view of a refrigerator with a condensate evaporation device according to the present invention installed;

FIG. 2 is a schematic elevation view of a compressor and the condensate evaporation device positioned side by side;

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the condensate evaporation device according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a top view showing a pan for containing condensate and a refrigerant pipe that are immersed in the condensate according to an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a refrigerant pipe and a protecting tube according to an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a refrigerant pipe and a protecting tube with grease inbetween according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the invention provides the condensate evaporation device 100 for a refrigerator 1000 including a storage space 200 cooled by refrigerant 910 (refer to FIGS. 5 and 6), and a compressor 300 for compressing the refrigerant.

FIG. 1 is a schematic elevation view of a refrigerator with a condensate evaporation device according to the present invention installed. FIG. 2 is a schematic elevation view of a compressor and the condensate evaporation device positioned side by side. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the condensate evaporation device according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4 is a top view showing a pan for containing condensate and a refrigerant pipe that are immersed in the condensate according to an embodiment of the invention.

The condensate evaporation device 100 comprises a refrigerant pipe 10 and a protecting tube 20.

The refrigerant pipe 10 through which the refrigerant 910 flows is installed near bottom of a pan 110 containing condensate 920 that flows out of the storage space 200 such that the refrigerant pipe 10 is immersed in the condensate 920.

The protecting tube 20 is disposed around at least a part of the refrigerant pipe 10 as shown in FIG. 3.

The protecting tube 20 surrounds at least a part of the refrigerant pipe 10 that is immersed in the condensate 920 in the pan 110, such that the condensate 920 does not contact and erode the refrigerant pipe 10 directly.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a refrigerant pipe and a protecting tube according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a refrigerant pipe and a protecting tube with grease inbetween according to an embodiment of the invention.

The protecting tube 20 may surround the refrigerant pipe 10 tightly to provide heat exchange between the refrigerant 910 and the condensate 920 via the refrigerant pipe 10 and the protecting tube 10 as shown in FIG. 5.

The protecting tube 20 may comprise silicone grease 22 on inner surface of the protecting tube 20 as shown in FIG. 6.

The protecting tube 20 may be heat resistant. Further, the protecting tube 20 may be water resistant. The protecting tube 20 may comprise a polymer tube. The polymer tube may comprise polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Alternatively, the polymer tube may comprise rubber.

The protecting tube 20 may comprise a first end 24 and a second end 26. The first and second ends 24, 26 may be disposed above the level 990 of the condensate 920 over the pan 110 as shown FIGS. 3 and 5.

In certain embodiments as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the condensate evaporation device 100 may further comprise a chamber 120 that is positioned above the pan 110. The chamber 120 may include one or more air vents 122, 124 that allow air flow into or out of the chamber 120.

In certain embodiments as shown in FIG. 3, the condensate evaporation device 100 may further comprise a condensate level sensor 30 disposed inside the pan 110, wherein the condensate level sensor 30 is configured to detect the level of the condensate 920 inside the pan 110. Heat exchanging between the refrigerant 910 and the condensate 920 may be initiated when the level of condensate 920 detected by the condensate level sensor 30 reaches a predetermined maximum value. In certain embodiments, the condensate level sensor 30 may further control the heat exchanging by cutting off when the level of the condensate 920 reaches a predetermined minimum value.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, another aspect of the invention provides a refrigerator 1000 comprising: a storage space 200 that is cooled by a refrigerant 910, a compressor 300 that compresses the refrigerant 910, and a condensate evaporation device 100.

The condensate evaporation device 100 may comprise: a container 110 configured to contain condensate 920 that flows out of the storage space 200; a heat exchange device 400 configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant 910 and the condensate 920; a refrigerant tube 10 disposed in the container 110 so as to be immersed in the condensate 920 in the container 110; and a protecting tube 20 surrounding at least part of the refrigerant tube 10.

The protecting tube 20 may surround or enclose the refrigerant pipe 10 tightly to provide heat exchange between the refrigerant 910 and the condensate 920 via the refrigerant pipe 10 and the protecting tube 20. The protecting tube 20 may be heat resistant and water resistant.

The polymer tube may comprise polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and rubber.

In certain embodiments, the protecting tube 20 may comprise a shrinkable heat tube.

In certain embodiments, at least part of the refrigerant pipe 10 and the protecting tube 20 may comprise a plurality of meandering portions between the refrigerant 910 and the condensate 920.

In the illustrated embodiment shown in FIG. 4, at least part of the refrigerant pipe 10 is bent upward from the bottom of the pan 110 to go outside the condensate 920. The shape of bending is not critical and limited to the shape in the figures. The refrigerant pipe 10 is bent first vertically and then horizontally at the location 11 in FIG. 4.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference to different embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations in form, detail, compositions and operation may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims. 

1. A condensate evaporation device for a refrigerator including a storage space cooled by refrigerant, and a compressor for compressing the refrigerant, the device comprising: a refrigerant pipe through which the refrigerant flows, wherein the refrigerant pipe is installed near bottom of a pan containing condensate that flows out of the storage space, and wherein the refrigerant pipe is immersed in the condensate, and a protecting tube disposed around at least a part of the refrigerant pipe, wherein the protecting tube surrounds at least a part of the refrigerant pipe that is immersed in the condensate in the pan, such that the condensate does not contact and erode the refrigerant pipe directly.
 2. The condensate evaporation device of claim 1, wherein the protecting tube surrounds the refrigerant pipe tightly to provide heat exchange between the refrigerant and the condensate via the refrigerant pipe and the protecting tube.
 3. The condensate evaporation device of claim 2, wherein the protecting tube comprises silicone grease on inner surface of the protecting tube.
 4. The condensate evaporation device of claim 1, wherein the protecting tube is heat resistant.
 5. The condensate evaporation device of claim 1, wherein the protecting tube is water resistant.
 6. The condensate evaporation device of claim 1, wherein the protecting tube comprises a polymer tube.
 7. The condensate evaporation device of claim 6, wherein the polymer tube comprises polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
 8. The condensate evaporation device of claim 6, wherein the polymer tube comprises rubber.
 9. The condensate evaporation device of claim 1, wherein the protecting tube comprises a first end and a second end.
 10. The condensate evaporation device of claim 9, wherein the first and second ends are disposed above the level of the condensate over the pan.
 11. The condensate evaporation device of claim 1, further comprising a chamber that is positioned above the pan.
 12. The condensate evaporation device of claim 11, wherein the chamber includes one or more air vents that allow air flow into or out of the chamber.
 13. The condensate evaporation device of claim 1, further comprising a condensate level sensor disposed inside the pan, wherein the condensate level sensor is configured to detect the level of the condensate inside the pan.
 14. The condensate evaporation device of claim 13, wherein heat exchanging between the refrigerant and the condensate is initiated when the level of condensate detected by the condensate level sensor reaches a predetermined value.
 15. A refrigerator comprising: a storage space that is cooled by a refrigerant, a compressor that compresses the refrigerant, and a condensate evaporation device, wherein the condensate evaporation device comprises: a container configured to contain condensate that flows out of the storage space; a heat exchange device configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant and the condensate; a refrigerant tube disposed in the container so as to be immersed in the condensate in the container; and a protecting tube surrounding at least part of the refrigerant tube.
 16. The condensate evaporation device of claim 15, wherein the protecting tube surrounds the refrigerant pipe tightly to provide heat exchange between the refrigerant and the condensate via the refrigerant pipe and the protecting tube.
 17. The condensate evaporation device of claim 15, wherein the protecting tube is heat resistant and water resistant.
 18. The condensate evaporation device of claim 6, wherein the polymer tube comprises polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and rubber. 